This prairie perennial has creeping rhizomes that often form dense patches. It is commonly named for its historical use as a mattress and pillow stuffing. Young plants and leaves are edible and have medicinal uses, while roots can be used for making a red dye. Flowers are mainly pollinated by flies and beetles, but are capable of self-pollination. They also attract bees, ants, butterflies, and moths.

Flower Colour:

• White

Flowering Season:

• Spring
• Summer

Flowering Months:

• August
• July
• June
• May

Canadian Rarity Status:

Not rare. Listed as “may be at risk” in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Physical Appearance:

Numerous, erect, branching stems grow 20-80 cm tall, and are 4-sided with tufts of hair below the nodes. Narrow, lance-shaped stem leaves have three distinct parallel veins and smooth edges, occurring in whorls of four. Basal leaves die back early. Numerous, tiny white, saucer-shaped flowers occur in a branching terminal cluster. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants, each one having four pointy-tipped petals. Fruits are hairy nutlets.

Similar Species:

Pale Comandra, Small Bedstraw (Galium trifidum L.), Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum Michx.)

Gardening Notes:

Seeds and/or plants are often available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Plants are a good addition to pond edge/wetland, woodland, or prairie gardens. They can be propagated by seed, rhizome cuttings, or division of mature plants.

Canadian Distribution:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Prairie Types:

• Fescue Prairie
• Mixed Grass Prairie
• Tall Grass Prairie

Habitats:

• Lake Shores
• Open Woodlands
• Prairies
• Rocky Slopes
• Salt Water Shores

Moisture Conditions:

• Moderate
• Moist

Light Preference:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Soil Preference:

• Clay
• Loam
• Organic
• Sand